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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Resurrects Christ as the Center of Education
By Alena Competello

Private Christian schools offer a decidedly different academic experience than their non-parochial counterparts. Christian schools are owned and operated by religious organizations. Every aspect of academia is permeated by the supremacy of the word of God. Christian schools include religious instruction and prayer as part of the daily curriculum. The emphasis of Christian education is to provide support for parents, the primary educators of children, in both the spiritual and intellectual upbringing of children.

Harold Naylor, Jr., director of Institutional Advancement at The Christian Academy in Brookhaven, Penn., said Christian schools place Christ at the forefront of education rather than on the backburner. At The Christian Academy, for example, every student is taught “in body, mind and spirit to radically influence their community in God’s glory,” Mr. Naylor said. Mr. Naylor further emphasized that rather than creating conflict in a child’s mind by relegating religion to the home, as is mandated in public schools, Christian schools work alongside parents to provide a religious environment similar to that at home. 

Jonathan Ekeland of The Christian Academy and co-founder of Discover ChristianSchools.com gives these tips on critical questions every parent needs to ask a prospective Christian school:

Spiritual aspects

1. In what way does the school combine Christianity and learning? (Answers may range from a modest “required chapel” to a quite thorough program of seeking God’s truth in all subjects).

2. Must all children come from Christian homes or are some non-Christian homes represented? (Some parents prefer a mix, especially since it may indicate a respect for the academic standards of the school).

3. Is there a denominational or sectarian emphasis in the religious teaching?

Academics

1. How do standardized test scores in basic academic areas compare with other schools in the area, both public and private?

2. To what colleges have recent graduates gone? What percentage of the graduates go to a four-year institution? What percentage go to a two-year institution?

3. Are there any honors and/or advanced placement courses offered? What are they? What’s the grading system look like?

4. What are some of the extra-curricular activities (music, art, sports, drama, etc.)?

5. What textbooks would my child be using? How often are they updated?

Teachers

1. Are the teachers required to accept the authority of scripture or are they merely “Christian” in general terms?

2. What is the average number of years the faculty has been teaching? (Look for some seasoned veteran teachers, not a whole staff just out of college).

3. How many present faculty members have been here five or more years? (High turnover may indicate a problem)

4. How many different subjects would a teacher in the upper grades usually teach? (Usually points to mastery of a subject when teaching just one or two subjects).

5. What experience and academic credentials does the headmaster and/or principal have?

6. Is the principal the pastor of the church? What role does the pastor play in the school?

Foundation of the School

1. Is the school a member of a national association of schools or a state association of secondary schools?

2. Is the school accredited or registered with the state education department? (Lack of accreditation may affect college entrance)

3. How much involvement are the parents expected to take in the life of the school?

4. What contacts are maintained with non-Christian schools, such as athletic competition or debating teams?

5. What standards does the school have for acceptance? (Some schools cater to problem students: others are so selective they would be called “elitist.”)

6. How closely have operations come to breaking even financially in the last two years? Does the school have any debt? What has enrollment been like the last five years?

7. Can the school supply the names of some parents in my neighborhood with whom I can discuss the school?

Alena Competello is a freelance writer. This article is part of a series of articles on different types of private schools you could send your child to. Past articles include: Jewish day schools and Quaker schools. Future articles include: Catholic, Montessori and Boarding schools.